Through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homemaker and home health aide care program, Veterans can get help at home as they age in place. Older adults often need more help with daily living tasks and household chores. Even if they live with a caregiver, receiving home care services can empower seniors to live at home comfortably and with dignity. Home care services for Veterans are available through VA. Among the services is the homemaker and home health aide care program. Let’s take a look at what this program is, the services included, and how to qualify and pay for these home care services for Veterans.
What is the VA homemaker and home health aide care program?
The homemaker and home health aide care program helps Veterans who need help performing daily life tasks. VA works with approved home care agencies and sends professional caregivers to the Veteran’s home to help with these activities. A registered nurse visits the home to perform an initial assessment to determine the Veteran’s needs. Then, an aide will come regularly to assist the Veteran and ensure they receive the care they need.
The assistant provides the services on a regular basis, making a routine for the Veteran’s personal care. The schedule allows the Veteran’s primary caregiver to have set times when their loved one receives help so they can take care of their own responsibilities or household tasks. The extra help is especially beneficial, as anyone helping a senior family member must get proper rejuvenation and rest to prevent caregiver burnout.
How do Veterans get help at home with the homemaker and home health aide program?
This program helps with tasks the Veteran needs to perform in order to sustain their life and maximize their comfort and quality of life. Aides help the Veteran with activities of daily living, which can include:
- •Bathing.
- •Dressing.
- •Eating.
- •Toileting.
- •Ambulating (walking or moving around the home).
- •Transferring (shifting from one position or place to another, such as moving from a bed to a chair).
The aide can also help the Veteran with instrumental activities of daily living. These are tasks that, while not vital to daily survival, are instrumental in maintaining comfort, safety, and quality of life. These might include:
- •Grocery shopping.
- •Meal preparation.
- •Light housekeeping.
- •Laundry.
These services greatly help out at the home of the Veteran. They deserve to be cared for, and their families deserve peace of mind knowing their loved one is in the hands of trained caregivers.
How Veterans qualify to get help at home
To receive this home care for Veterans, there are eligibility criteria. The services are available to Veterans if they are enrolled in VA health care, qualify for VA community care, meet the medical criteria for the homemaker and home health aide care program, and if the services the Veteran needs are available in their area.
To enroll in VA health care, the Veteran meets a combination of service, income, and disability-related criteria. An applicant is assigned a priority group, which can affect how quickly they can receive benefits. One of the determining factors of the priority group to which a Veteran is assigned is income status, so they may qualify for reduced or no copays depending on their priority group.
VA community care helps Veterans access services that VA cannot provide directly. In order to qualify, the Veteran must demonstrate that their needs and circumstances require care that VA cannot provide. The VA Community Care Eligibility Fact Sheet offers helpful tips that explain circumstances and eligibility factors for receiving care services in the community rather than through VA.
The Veteran must also meet the clinical criteria demonstrating the need for this type of care. In addition, the care services must be available in their area.
Vets who think they are eligible for this coverage yet do not already receive these health benefits can apply online, call 1-877-222-8387, or mail in an application for health benefits. Applying in person is another option.
How much does this home care for Veterans cost?
The amount VA pays is based on a number of factors, including the service-connected disability status, if the care is related to that disability, the Veteran’s income, and the Veteran’s priority group in VA health care. The copays also vary depending on the service. Review the copay information for the various services here.
VA geriatric home care services, including homemaker and home health aide care, require no copayments from the Veteran for the first 21 days of service within a year. Depending on the Veteran’s income and other circumstances, they may be responsible for a copay for services after the first three weeks of receiving care.
VA homemaker and home health aide care programs are an excellent way to help a Veteran live safely and comfortably in their home rather than moving to a senior living community or nursing home. These services also benefit the Veteran’s family, loved ones, and caregivers, as everyone can rest assured knowing that professionals are assisting the Veteran in completing daily living tasks and ensuring they are safe and healthy.
